PITTSBURGH – Pirates Head Athletic Trainer Todd Tomczyk gave updates on several injured Pirates players and prospects in his weekly press briefing.
• Ryan Vogelsong is still recovering from his facial surgery, which repaired three different broken bones: nasal, inferior border of his orbit, and the orbital floor. Vogelsong’s sight is still impaired from the injury and the area still has “significant” swelling.
He has been cleared to perform “light activity” such as riding a stationary bike. Any strenuous activity that would elevate his heart rate could increase his facial swelling. He is being re-evaluated on a week-by-week basis with no long-term prognosis or timetable.
“The most important thing is that he’s going to lead a normal life,” Tomczyk said. “He’s an extremely driven man. Ryan is bound and determined to get back with this team.”
Vogelsong is expected to miss enough time that he will need a rehab assignment to re-establish his throwing program.
• Starling Marte is day-to-day with a left ankle contusion. He is not in Wednesday’s starting lineup, but could be available off the bench. Marte said he expected to be able to play in Colorado on Thursday.
He originally injured his ankle going into the center field wall Sunday night chasing down a fly ball, and the re-aggravated it during game one of Tuesday’s doubleheader.
• Tomczyk and Francisco Liriano both said that the lefty is feeling 100 percent, and there is nothing physically wrong that prompted his scheduled start being pushed back to Saturday.
• Elias Diaz is now able to swing a bat as well as continuing to throw on flat ground and is dealing with “aches and pains” related to his elbow surgery.
• Tomczyk has “no issues or concerns” after Arquimedes Caminero made his second rehab appearance with Triple-A Indianapolis. He threw 42 pitches in two innings on Monday, giving up three hits.
